Pets Australia Issue 70 August 2017

PET PROBLEMS

Q:

To PETS and Dr Jo, I would like a pet

but I cannot have a cat or a dog because

my dad is really allergic to them (he grew up

with three dogs and eight cats!).

We have a normal-sized house but a small

rear yard that has no grass, so we can’t have

anything that needs grass or room to run.

I would like something furry and cuddly

that can be kept in my room (which is small).

I would prefer something that doesn’t need a

cage, but I guess that would be hard to do for

an inside pet. I also would like something that

is quiet and calm and doesn’t

go crazy. I don’t think we can

keep birds because there are a

lot of neighbourhood cats that

would stalk them, and Dad is

not too keen on them (he had

a Cockatiel and Budgies, too).

So could you please help me

fi nd the perfect pet that suits

me and my house? Many thanks.

From, Julia

(P.S. I like your magazine.)

A:

Hi Julia, it certainly is a hard

one if your parents are not

keen. There are actually cats with

minimal fur such as the Sphynx or Rex breeds that

don’t cause nearly as much allergenic problems

as fully furred cats and dogs. Cats are generally

very clean, loving and need minimal space.

If your dad is still very against cats, perhaps a

mouse or rat would be an idea. Lots of people

use a cage but you can also convert a chest of

drawers into a home for it — rats really love a

good maze to play in. Another pet you can keep

in your room (though not very cuddly) is a fi sh,

turtle or an axolotl. You can design a very funky

tank and set up an underwater home. Hopefully

these suggestions give you some more ideas to

consider and discuss with your dad. Good luck.

The Sphynx is a low-allergenic breed of cat — and cute as a button, too!

For more information

visit localvet.com.

au/FurKids or visit

Dr Jo’s clinic at Shop

11/2 Sheppards Drive,

Greenbank Qld.

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PETS | Health and Wellbeing

Photos: Kaz Dalton, Elena Boronina/BigSt

ock.com, otsphoto/BigStock.com

August http://www.facebook.com/petsmagazine

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